Of all the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia is arguably the most comprehensively tourist-friendly. Not only does it have exceptional wildlife – including a quarter of the world’s cheetahs and the last free-ranging population of black rhino – and a well-developed network of parks, reserves and safari lodges, but the landscapes of its coastline and deserts are some of the most photographed and gasped over in the world, meriting a visit in their own right. Traditional culture remains strong here despite successive colonial occupations by Germany and then South Africa (Namibia gained independence from the latter in 1990) and, for many visitors, meeting the Himba people in the far north-west, or the San (formerly Bushmen) of the Kalahari, is an enriching and humbling experience. To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only … [Read more...] about Everything you need to know about visiting Namibia
Destinations
The pristine national park where you can sunbathe with kangaroos
First and foremost, I’ve come for the kangaroos. They might not be Australia’s most famous wildlife experience — this is, after all, a nation where you can take selfies with quokkas and swim alongside whale sharks — but the lure of sharing a patch of white sand with a mob of sunbathing roos is unusual enough to pique my interest. The place where it’s possible is called Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, a 45-minute drive from the remote seaside town of Esperance, itself 435 miles south-east of Perth. It’s a long way to come for a day on the beach, but we’re far from the only people on a kangaroo pilgrimage. Seaside animal encounters are Instagram gold (witness the swimming pigs of The Bahamas and South Africa’s penguin-filled Boulders Beach) and the photo sharing app is flooded with snaps of Lucky Bay and its furry hoppers. As we arrive at the 31,800-hectare national park, an eight-hour drive from the nearest major … [Read more...] about The pristine national park where you can sunbathe with kangaroos
First look inside the new Statue of Liberty Museum
The new Statue of Liberty Museum opens on Liberty Island today, a $100 million development funded by investments from A-list names including Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren and Google’s Sergey Brin. A gift of friendship from the people of France to the citizens of the United States in 1886, following the abolition of slavery, the Statue of Liberty has become an international symbol of freedom, democracy and human rights. Set on what was once called Bedloe’s Island – now Liberty Island – at the entrance to New York harbour, all ships sailing into the city for more than 130 years have had to pass by her. That 12-acre island that hosts Bartholdi’s neoclassical copper sculpture is now visited by 4.5 million tourists each year, but post-9/11 security measures mean that only a tiny fraction can gain entry to Lady Liberty herself – just 13 visitors are permitted inside the statue every 20 minutes. To continue reading this article … [Read more...] about First look inside the new Statue of Liberty Museum
The thinking person’s alternative to the French Riviera
In France’s “Deep South”, a Catalan territory known as “Roussillon”, the Pyrenees end abruptly at the Mediterranean, creating cliffs and creeks, corniches, valleys and slopes so steep that vineyards are vertical. The region accounts itself extreme, fierce of sun, colour and temperament, given to the playing of rugby, the eating of anchovies and the cultivation of moustaches. Starting point Perpignan – like a spruce reformed drunk – is a revelation: shaved, articulate and shiny of complexion. Not long ago, the town wore an air of mild desperation. It over-relied, too, on Salvador Dali’s claim that Perpignan station was the centre of the universe. (It isn’t. It isn’t even the centre of Perpignan but a long slog out to a banal spot.) Frayed from the edges through to the middle, the city had more history from around the Med than it could handle. Up top, the vast fortress palace had hosted the 13th-century … [Read more...] about The thinking person’s alternative to the French Riviera
The surprising new spa taking Scarborough back to its roots
Spending my weekend at a spa attached to a waterpark in Yorkshire would not usually be my idea of a good time. And driving up to Scarborough’s Wellness at Alpamare – which opened back in March – with its big cubist block of canary yellow-painted concrete sprouting multicoloured slides and a big kitschy sign doesn’t quell any of my fears. The facade screams ‘Spanish all-inclusive aqualand’ far louder than it does ‘luxury alpine wellness retreat’. But once inside and up onto the first floor, the feel is quite different – and rather unexpected. With a sleek palette of white, grey and black, stellar facilities, great staff and an infinity pool overlooking the sea, I’d be so bold as to say that Wellness... Register for free to read this article, or log in to your Telegraph account Register Log in … [Read more...] about The surprising new spa taking Scarborough back to its roots